Dealing with Discouragement

Have you ever gotten to a point in which you have felt as though there was nothing left for you to accomplish in your present place in life? Maybe you felt like it was time to move on but there didn’t seem like there is anything coming over the horizon? Or Maybe you had this underlining desire to do something more and couldn’t engage in what was currently going on around you?

 Let me assure you right now, dear reader, they are natural and there is nothing wrong with feeling that way.  No one ever said we couldn’t make something more of ourselves. On the other hand though, no one ever said that we couldn’t bloom right where are planted. Feeling discouraged is a part of life and it is in those moments of discouragement that we can find fulfillment, if we are open to it. God has many wonderful things in store for us as we live our lives and he desires for us to find peace. 

 While we are only human and will always have to deal with feelings of discouragement, we don’t have to deal with them on our own. Jesus said in one of his final messages to his followers that “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV) This is a great word of encouragement for those that are facing discouragement, because they remind us that we truly don’t have to face those feelings on our own.

 You may be asking, what does this have to do with the questions that were shared in the beginning?  Well, those questions all come back to discouragement. You see, as we begin to ponder these questions we are letting doubt seep into our hearts. We are truly dealing with discouragement because discouragement and doubt come hand in hand. 

 When you doubt yourself, you are open to intimidation and that leads to deterrence. Deterrence can keep us from seeing what God is doing through our lives, thus leading us back to the questions that we asked at the beginning of this post. It is difficult sometimes when questions like these begin to make their way to the forefront of our minds. The important thing to remember is that God says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV) it may not feel like we are weak in those moments in life, but the reality is that we are.

 The reason behind this is not because discouragement is a weakness, but because if we don’t properly work through those feelings of discouragement we become vulnerable to that intimidation mentioned before.  Our ability to believe in ourselves can be lost, leading us to make wrong choices. Maybe God has us planted in our perspective places for a reason we will never really understand. Maybe God feels that instead of moving to the next big thing we simply just need to rest in His will for a season. 

 Maybe God wants to use us as a witness of his love for those that are engaging in things that aren’t really that honoring Him. What it comes down to is this, feeling discouraged is a part of life and through giving those feelings to Him, and we can find fulfillment, maybe even in a way we really never thought of before. Here is a word of encouragement for you today, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Blessings in Christ and thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.